Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has disclosed the government's plans to establish a new entity dedicated to aviation safety investigations. This announcement was made during an interview on PSM News' 'Raajje Miadhu' programme.
During the interview, Minister Ameen announced the government's intention to establish a dedicated authority tasked with overseeing aviation safety and investigating accidents and incidents. Underscoring the urgent need to enhance the nation's aviation safety protocols, he noted that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will conduct a safety audit of the Maldives' aviation sector in June 2025. The government is committed to achieving superior results in this audit compared to previous evaluations, he said.
Consequently, the government has revised the mandate of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to align with the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This initiative forms part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at achieving favourable results in the forthcoming audit, according to the minister.
Minister Ameen provided further details on the proposed entity, emphasising its significance in removing aircraft accident investigation from the responsibilities of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). "The most important step is to transfer aircraft accident investigation out of the mandate of the Civil Aviation [Authority] and establish a dedicated body for this purpose," he stated.
"This approach aligns with standard practices in other countries and is mandated by ICAO," he added. The minister also expressed his intention to submit the proposal to the cabinet by the end of January, with the ultimate goal of formalising the entity through a presidential decree.
In addition to these initiatives, Minister Ameen disclosed that proposed legislative amendments have been submitted to the Attorney General for review. These legislative changes are integral to the ministry's continuous efforts to fortify the air transportation sector, he said.
Minister Ameen also underscored President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s dedication to strengthening the aviation sector. Initiatives are currently in progress to ensure that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) collaborates effectively with other stakeholders in the aviation industry to achieve this objective, he added.
Presently, the Maldives is home to 19 airports nationwide, with ongoing efforts to develop additional facilities. The country takes pride in possessing the world's largest seaplane fleet.